Friday, September 30, 2011

Ben and Emmy love going to preschool. They love learning and being with their friends. I also think it helps that they have such a great teacher who makes learning fun and enjoyable. For the last little bit, they have been learning about community helpers. One day they talked about the postal workers and mailed letters to their parents. It was fun to pull letters out of the mailbox with their cute little scribble of letters on it. I love that it had I love you written all over it in their best preschooler handwriting. It was fun to read/look at their letters that they made just for us.

Earlier in the month of September, Brandon's mother sent us a package of left over items that she used for my niece's recent birthday party. As you can tell, the party had a Littlest Pet Shop theme.

The kids were able to create containers for their pets. The kids also enjoyed, a matching game, bingo, pin the tail on the donkey, and other fun games that were Littlest Pet Shop theme.We spent a Sunday afternoon playing the games together. We had fun and enjoyed spending some time as a family. Thanks again for the fun package!

Saturday, September 24, 2011

We have been loving our new place! One of the best things about it, is the fact that the house is at the end of the cove. The kids LOVE riding their bikes! The kids are only allowed outside in the front yard if one of us is outside with them.

Hyrum has turned into quite the riding pro. He is constantly trying to do new tricks on his bike. The new tricks have had a learning curve and Hyrum has taken some good falls off of his bike, however, he has handled them like a champ.

Ben tries his best to duplicate Hyrum's deemed AWESOME tricks, but he is a little bit more cautious in his approach. Emmy will be outside riding her bike for a little bit, but for the most part she loves drawing with sidewalk chalk and playing in the dirt with a shovel. Earlier in the month of September, Hyrum had no school on a Friday. We took this opportunity to go and have lunch with Brandon at his work. The kids LOVE it when we go and have lunch with Brandon and I was pleased that it all worked out. I think Brandon was excited to have us come too. Doesn't he look handsome in his white coat? The kids had quite the eye opening experience going to the VA Hospital. They were very curious about what they saw around them.One of our highlights of the day is walking and picking Hyrum up from school. The kids love to drop him off and they love to pick him up. I love that Hyrum gives all of us a hug good bye and tells me that he loves me. I love the fact that he runs to me when I am there to pick him up from school to give me a big hug.

Quite often, Ben wears his backpack to take Hyrum to school (even if he is not going to preschool that day). Today Hyrum and Emmy held hands as we walked/skipped Hyrum to school. It was so cute. I loved that Ben and Emmy held my hands as we walked home. I loved the conversation that I had with Ben and Emmy. They were asking various questions about things. I had them spell some words to me which they knew (we were practicing Hyrum's spelling words on the way to school). I think they felt big. It was one of those moment of joy in motherhood that I couldn't help but smile and be grateful for the chance I have to be a mother.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

One of the reasons my dad came to visit was to go to the Ole' Miss and BYU game on the third of September. My dad was very generous and bought us all tickets to go. We were all very excited to go to the game. Brandon said that he felt like a kid at Christmas morning. The boys, especially Hyrum, were thrilled to be going to a BYU game.

My mom was so sweet and sent new BYU shirts with my dad for our family. We wore our new shirts to the game. Emmy was very disappointed that she didn't have a bow that matched her outfit as well as she wanted.We had to drive about a hour and a half to get to the game. When we got to the stadium, we had a few hours to appreciate the atmosphere before the game. We spent time in the "Grove" at the Ole' Miss campus where everyone tailgates before the game. It was quite a sight.

We also were invited by a gentleman to see the the Ole' Miss "M Club." It was great to go in and see the heritage of football at the school. Also, we were able to use a clean restroom and enjoy some AC.

Before the game started, we got some lunch from a subway stand before we headed into the football field. Hyrum was very anxious to get in the stadium. He didn't want to miss anything!The day turned out to be cloudy and not too hot for a Southern September afternoon. It was still hot enough that we needed to buy drinks. Large drinks (we still have the cups which are a big hit at our house). Emmy loved eating the ice in the drinks.I love the atomsphere at football games. I love hearing the band play and watching the cheerleaders. The game ended up being a great close game with BYU winning.Hyrum loved every minute at the game and would ask many questions. He especially loved going to the game with Papa. Hyrum was constantly giving my dad loves and hugs even though the weather was a little hot to be comfortable cuddling. Even after the game, Hyrum still talks about the game in detail. It is so cute!

Ben liked the game, but wasn't as enthralled with it as Hyrum was.Emmy was tired and fell asleep in Brandon's arms and slept most of the second half.We were so lucky that my dad took us to the game. We loved every minute! It was the perfect way to end my dad's trip to Memphis. Thanks again Dad!

Sunday, September 18, 2011

My dad came to visit us from August 31st until September 4th. All of us eagerly anticipated his arrival. Before he arrived, the kids made a list of things that they wanted to do with him. Papa's visit was short, but we got much in.

Of course, the kids put blueberry pancakes on their list of things to do with my dad. They love it when he makes them blueberry pancakes. Also, on the list was to go and eat lunch with Hyrum at his school, but I didn't take any pictures of that. Hyrum LOVES it when people come and have lunch with him at school.

Another item on the list was Chuck E. Cheese. The kids really enjoy spending time there.We even checked Hyrum out early to take him to lunch one of the days Papa was here. We even checked ice cream off the list since we had some Frosties at Wendy's. Papa spoiled us all and got everyone their very own frosty.After lunch, we headed to the Children's Museum (since it was on the list). Like always, the kids had a great time at the Children's Museum.Another item on the list was to go fishing with Papa. We have some small ponds by our house that supposedly have fish in them (we have only caught moss so far). The kids were very excited to take their Papa fishing.Papa spoiled us while we were here. We enjoyed eating at Central (a Memphis BBQ place) and Cici's pizza. The kids were so excited to go to Cici's.

Of course my dad played many games while he was here. My kids LOVE it when Papa plays games with them.The kids were very excited to give my dad some early birthday presents. His birthday isn't until the end of September, but the kids love to hand out presents so we got to celebrate a little early.While Papa was here, we took him to our favorite donut shop. The kids love to have donuts!It wasn't on the list, but the kids were so excited to ride bikes around the neighborhood with my dad. They kept telling my dad that he could borrow Brandon's bike. Finally, they went on a bike ride and loved it. Don't let Ben's frown fool you, he was sad he didn't get to stand where he wanted to on one of the sides of my dad.We weren't able to check everything off the list, but that is okay since my parents will be here soon to help when I have baby number four (we haven't decided on a name yet). We will finish the rest of our list when they come.

We loved having Papa come and visit. We were so pleased that he would take time out of his busy schedule to come and spend time with us. We love our Papa!!

Friday, September 16, 2011

Back at the end of August, we had a great Family Home Evening that Brandon put together. The lesson was on Captain Moroni and the Title of Liberty he created to help inspire his soldiers. To start off the lesson, Brandon spent a little time talking about what an amazing man Captain Moroni was. He told the kids how Captain Moroni raised a standard to rally the Nephites to defend their liberties from a group of dissenters who wanted to establish their leader as a king. Moroni ripped his coat and wrote upon it, "In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children". With these words, Moroni rallied his people to defend their families and their freedom.

After the lesson, our family made our own Title of Liberty of things worth fighting for or that were important to us.One of things Emmy wrote on the Title of Liberty was LOVE. Brandon asked her what could she draw to represent LOVE. Emmy responded that a heart would and proceeded to draw a heart. We soon realized for whatever reason she drew an R after Love creating LOVER. We left it and got a good chuckle.LtoR Service, Hyrum, God, Emmy, Temples, Brandon, Gratitude, Natalie, Prophets, Ben, Book of Mormon, Hyrum, Prayer, Natalie, Baptism, Brandon, Love, Emmy, Family Ben.

It was such a great Family Home Evening Lesson. Brandon did a great job planning it. I hope and think the kids will remember. I loved the fact that we were able to spend time as a family and talk about things that are important to us.

Quote of the Week

"If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will—to your surprise—miss them profoundly."-President Thomas S Monson

Sisters, there is something inspiring and sublime about the little forget-me-not flower. I hope it will be a symbol of the little things that make your lives joyful and sweet. Please never forget that you must be patient and compassionate with yourselves, that some sacrifices are better than others, that you need not wait for a golden ticket to be happy. Please never forget that the “why” of the gospel of Jesus Christ will inspire and uplift you. And never forget that your Heavenly Father knows, loves, and cherishes you.—President Dieter F. Uchtdorf